Manchester United's ongoing defensive crisis could have been solved by a youth team player.

Left-back Alvaro Fernandez, who was sent out on loan to Granada, did not get a chance to show manager Erik ten Hag his worth.

United have all first team left backs, including Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Sergio Reguilon, sidelined with injury.

The Manchester Evening News states that even after realizing they had issues with Malacia and Shaw, United chose to loan out Fernandez.

They brought in Reguilon on loan from Tottenham on deadline day as cover, but he is now out as well.

There are mid-season break clauses in all United's loan deals, which means they can bring back Fernandez in January.